Brussels: The European Union on Sunday called on all parties in Georgia to exercise "calm and restraint" following Saturday's local elections, urging the Georgian authorities to "uphold citizens' rights to freedom of assembly and expression" and to ensure the "immediate release of all those arbitrarily detained," while strongly condemning what it described as disinformation campaigns targeting the EU.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the EU's statement highlighted that "Saturday's local elections in Georgia took place amid a period of extensive crackdown on dissent," citing "months of raids on independent media, the passing of laws targeting civil society, the jailing of opponents and activists, as well as amendments to the electoral code favoring the ruling party" as factors that have significantly reduced the possibility of free and competitive elections. The statement criticized the Georgian authorities' decision not to invite international observers, particularly the OSCE/ODIHR mission, in a timely manner, which it claimed undermined the transparency of the electoral process and prevented credible international monitoring. Domestic organizations also refrained from observing due to the repressive environment.
The EU emphasized "the importance of a constructive and inclusive dialogue involving all political actors and civil society to ensure stability and democracy," urging all sides to avoid any form of violence. It also "firmly rejected and condemned the disinformation targeting the EU's role in Georgia," and denounced the personal attacks against the Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia. The EU stressed that "such actions are unacceptable and undermine the principles of diplomatic relations and mutual partnership."
Following the local elections, Georgia's electoral authorities announced that the ruling Georgian Dream party, perceived as close to Moscow, had emerged victorious, amid violent clashes between police and protesters who attempted to storm the presidential palace.
The situation comes after the EU's decision in October 2024 to suspend Georgia's EU accession process, holding the Georgian government "fully responsible" for undermining the country's democratic path.